What does hay fever feel like?
For some people, hay fever means a few days of sneezing in June. For others, it brings weeks of a blocked nose, sore eyes and broken sleep. The symptoms come from inflammation triggered by pollen, so they are usually worse on warm, dry and windy days and ease after rain.
Nose and sinus symptoms
Sneezing, a runny or blocked nose and itching inside the nose are the most familiar signs. A nose that stays blocked can lead to pressure around the forehead and cheeks, snoring, mouth breathing and a reduced sense of smell or taste.
Eye symptoms
Itchy, red, watering and puffy eyes are very common. Some people find their eyes become sensitive to bright light, and contact lens wearers often struggle during the peak pollen weeks.
Throat, mouth and ears
Pollen and mucus draining down the back of the throat can cause an itchy or sore throat, a tickly cough and frequent throat clearing. Itching in the roof of the mouth and deep in the ears is also common.
Tiredness and poor concentration
Hay fever can affect how you feel in general. Poor sleep and the body's ongoing allergic response often leave people tired, foggy and irritable. During exams or busy periods at work, this can have a noticeable effect on performance.
Is it hay fever or a cold?
Hay fever and colds share several symptoms, but a few clues usually tell them apart.
| Clue | Hay fever | Cold |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Same time each year, lasting weeks or months | Any time, usually clearing in 7 to 10 days |
| Itchy eyes | Very common | Uncommon |
| Mucus | Clear and watery | Can thicken and change colour |
| Aches or fever | No | Sometimes |
| Weather | Worse on warm, dry, windy days | Not affected |
If you are still unsure, the pattern of your symptoms over several weeks is often the clearest guide. During a consultation, we look at that pattern in detail and can arrange allergy testing if it would help.
Can hay fever affect your breathing?
Yes. In people with asthma, pollen can trigger wheezing, coughing, breathlessness and a tight chest. Some people only notice asthma symptoms during pollen season. Treating nasal symptoms properly is an important part of keeping asthma steady through the summer.
If your breathing is affected, mention it when you enquire so the clinician can take it into account, and make sure your GP or asthma nurse knows. Hay fever treatment works alongside your asthma care and does not replace it.
Call 999 if you have difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or feel faint. These can be signs of a severe allergic reaction.
When should you see a hay fever specialist?
Many people put up with symptoms for years because they assume nothing more can be done. A specialist assessment is worth booking if:
- Antihistamines, sprays and eye drops from the pharmacy are not controlling your symptoms
- Hay fever disrupts your sleep, work, studies or sport
- Your asthma flares up in spring or summer
- You are not sure what is causing your symptoms
- The same severe symptoms return every year
A hay fever consultation with Hay Fever Treatment starts with your symptoms and history, then sets out a treatment plan that fits your situation.
How we treat troublesome hay fever symptoms
The right treatment depends on which symptoms bother you most and what you have already tried.
Blocked nose and sneezing
A blocked nose often responds poorly to tablets alone. A prescriber may recommend a daily nasal treatment started before the season, together with advice on technique. Our prescription treatment reviews cover this in detail.
Itchy and watering eyes
When the eyes are the main problem, eye drops can be added alongside nasal and oral treatment to bring relief where it is needed most.
Severe symptoms that return every year
If the same pollen causes severe symptoms each season, allergy testing and an assessment for immunotherapy may be worthwhile. In a small number of severe cases, a prescriber may discuss the hay fever injection after weighing up the risks.
To get started, use the quote form to tell us about your symptoms. There is no obligation, and you can read about what happens after you enquire before deciding.